Lessons from the Barn: How Horse Therapy Helps Youth Build Belonging & Resilience

Two equine therapy horses stand in their pen at Cathedral Home in Laramie, Wyoming.

At Cathedral Home, we know sometimes the best listeners never say a word. Youth and families who step into our on-campus horse arena find more than just saddles, grooming brushes, and four-legged friends — they discover newfound confidence, capability, and hope (plus, a couple of friendly barn cats).

What is Horse Therapy (Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy?)

Horse therapy, more formally known as equine-assisted psychotherapy, involves activities with horses that are facilitated under the supervision of a mental health professional or equine specialist. Here at Cathedral Home, our horse program is under the direction of Callie Clingman, our incredible Equine Specialist. Though horse therapy may look different for each individual depending on their needs and comfort level, it typically involves brushing, feeding, saddling, and riding a horse (or in our case, youth often have the opportunity to work with Lucy, our resident donkey!)

For our clients here at Cathedral Home in Laramie, horse therapy is most often a complement to our other, more traditional forms of therapy and counseling. Though working with our horse herd is optional, many clients — even those that may have never worked with a horse before coming to us — often overcome their initial uncertainty and discover joy in the independence, skills, confidence, and friendships that horses can bring to their lives.

“When you’re around horses, they're a partner in a scenario, and you work with them to achieve a goal,” Clingman said.

Why Horses Are Powerful Partners for Youth

You may be thinking, "So why horse therapy?" Why don't we utilize dogs, cats, or other animals to help boost confidence and resilience in our youth?

While companion animals like dogs and cats can be incredible sources of comfort and emotional support, horses bring something unique to the table. Because they're prey and herd animals, horses are exceptionally sensitive to body language and nonverbal cues. They notice even the smallest shifts in movement, breathing, tension, and energy, making them remarkable mirrors of human emotion.

In the wild, if one horse senses danger, its widened eyes, perked ears, or tense muscles immediately alert the rest of the herd. That same sensitivity applies when horses interact with people. They can pick up on a rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, or nervous movements. If a young person is tense, the horse may also become uneasy. But when a handler approaches with patience and confidence, the horse often responds in kind: relaxing, trusting, and engaging.

"Horse group can be a way to gain some sort of control in what you can't control. You can tell horses anything you want and they won't tell a soul. I'm not sure exactly how to explain it best, but it's calming and sort of resets you. Horse group is a safe place for me."

-CHC client feedback

This dynamic creates a powerful environment for growth. Youth quickly see how their inner state affects the horse, and in turn, they practice the skill of self-regulation. Horses don’t judge or criticize, they simply reflect back what they sense, offering humans the space to identify and manage their feelings in real time.

Benefits of Horse Therapy for Emotional Regulation and Resilience

Because of their ability to tune in to human emotions, horses provide a unique way for youth — or anyone — to strengthen emotional regulation and coping skills. Working with a horse requires patience and adaptability; youth learn to adjust their own approach, practice calm under pressure, and find new ways to connect. These experiences build resilience, empathy, and the ability to make healthy, thoughtful decisions.

Beyond self-growth, working with horses also nurtures stronger relationship skills. Horses respond best to clear communication, trust, and consistency — the same qualities that build healthy human relationships. As youth learn to guide and care for these large, powerful animals, they discover how respect and compassion create safe, lasting bonds.

These lessons extend well beyond the barn, equipping kids with a sense of confidence, purpose, and responsibility. Youth often apply the tools they learn in the arena to family relationships, academics, work, and every other aspect of their life.

“Clients work with a horse that’s four times their size, and a lot taller than them,” Clingman said. “It helps them face the fears they may have and learn to focus on what they can control — which is their reactions and behaviors.”

Our Approach to Horse Therapy at Cathedral Home

At Cathedral Home, our team believes in giving youth hands-on opportunities for growth. We know healing and skill-building doesn't just happen in an office —sometimes it begins beside a horse, both in and out of the arena. Our youth have ample opportunities to participate in the annual Laramie Jubilee Days parade and horse show, our local 4-H club, and to explore Laramie's local trails on horseback during the summer months. We know from over a century of experience that fostering community connection helps set kids up for a lifetime of growth, belonging, learning, and joy.

Since integrating equine therapy into our services, hundreds of youth from Wyoming and beyond have found new pathways to hope, healing, and breaking generational cycles — along with discovering a newfound passion for horses and animals.

"Horse group to me is kind of like hanging out with an old close friend. Being with the horses helps me get my mind off of things that might be bothering me."

-CHC client feedback

Support Our Horse Therapy Program

Our staff see every day how our herd of 20+ well-trained and thoughtfully selected therapy horses transform the lives of our youth. Want to be part of their journey? The kindness of community donors allows us to constantly improve our program and provide top-notch feed and veterinary care for our gentle giants. If you feel led to contribute another way, we're always thrilled to receive donations of saddles, saddle pads, bridles, or other gently-used equipment.

We have a horse therapy wishlist, too! Visit https://www.sstack.com/productslistpublic.aspx?productListId=100021304217 to check it out!

Have a horse or pony you think would make the perfect addition to our horse therapy program? Inquire about the horse donation process at info@cathedralhome.org.

From Surviving to Thriving: What We Know About Helping Kids Heal, Hope, & Connect

Here at Cathedral Home, healing happens through safe, positive relationships. 

For years, our team has focused on helping youth grow, learn, play, and thrive by combining trauma-informed practices with asset-building — an approach that helps kids not only heal from past experiences, but also gain the confidence and skills to build a healthy path forward. Here’s what that looks like in action, and how we know it works for kids. 

How We Know Our Program Works

“I was a resident at CHC. [They] never gave up on me, nor were they ever unwilling to help me. Because of this place I have found myself.”

- CHC client feedback

Each year, Cathedral Home serves dozens of youth ages 12-17 through our residential mental health treatment program. When kids first arrive, they often bring with them years of pain, fear, and mistrust in adults. Many have had few positive and caring figures in their lives, so they come to us needing support in learning to regulate their emotions, rebuild trust, and work through trauma.

As youth navigate their treatment journey with us — typically over the course of 9-12 months — we begin to see measurable, meaningful change. Research led by our clinical team, along with data we track throughout each youth’s stay, shows a clear trend: as kids progress through the program, their level of risk to themselves and others decreases, while levels of personal growth, family engagement, and psychosocial development all increase.

To understand and track this progress, our team uses several nationally recognized assessment tools that measure growth in emotional regulation, social connection, and overall well-being. On average, youth show a significant reduction in risk scores from admission to discharge, meaning they're engaging in fewer harmful or high-risk behaviors by the time they leave our program.

So what does that kind of risk reduction actually look like in a child’s life? It means fewer dangerous behaviors, like substance use or self-harm; feeling more hopeful and confident about their future; handling conflict in healthy ways; actively pursuing personal goals; and discovering hobbies and passions that bring them real joy. These are the kinds of changes that tell us growth is happening, and that the care we provide truly works.

We also know that impact lasts. Since 2020, more than 90% of youth who complete their residential treatment at Cathedral Home do not return to the same or higher level of care within one year of discharge. That success isn’t just the result of the hard work kids do during treatment — it’s also shaped by the support they receive as they transition back into everyday life, their home communities, and their families. Much of the same research mentioned above shows that a network of continued connection can make all the difference for kids, which is why our Resource Center team stays in touch with alumni, offering regular outreach and ongoing care as they move forward into their next steps.

Why Risk Decreases

We see real change happen as kids begin to feel safe and supported. When youth experience care that acknowledges not just their struggles, but also their strengths, they build "assets": positive skills, habits, and relationships that help them thrive.

Before coming to Cathedral Home, many of our clients have spent years living in survival mode, whether because of trauma, mental health challenges, strained family dynamics, or a combination of those and more. When kids don’t feel emotionally or physically safe, it’s nearly impossible for them to have the capacity for growth, discovery, and play.

Many of the youth in our care share with us, both anecdotally and through assessments, that CHC is the first place they’ve ever truly felt safe. As they begin to experience that sense of trust and stability, perhaps for the first time in their lives, we see meaningful changes take shape. Risky behaviors decrease as they learn to regulate their emotions, develop healthier coping skills, and see positive behavior modeled by the caring adults who work with them around the clock.

"Cathedral Home has taught me that I am strong enough to do anything that I set my mind to."

-CHC client feedback

At the same time — through experiences like specialized education, horse therapy, hiking, biking, volunteering, sports, 4-H, and more — they’re building assets, developing confidence, exploring their interests, and learning how to set and reach personal goals. These experiences combined with consistent, trauma-informed care, help kids move the needle from surviving to truly thriving.

How Our Team Makes it Happen

Every day, CHC staff practice trauma-informed care: meeting kids where they are, understanding their experiences, and responding consistently with empathy.

Our team often uses an adaptive leadership style to recognize what each youth needs in a particular moment. Sometimes that means stepping back to give space; other times it means stepping in with calm, but firm, direction. This balance helps kids learn that adults can be safe, steady, and trusted to make good decisions.

Our staff also work intentionally to strengthen their own social and emotional skills through an emotional intelligence program called EQ2. This training helps caregivers understand how trauma shapes youth behavior, recognize and manage their own triggers, and respond calmly to challenging situations. We know that kids often mirror what they see in the adults around them, so when our staff model regulation, respect, and open communication, they’re teaching those same skills in real time. By showing up as our best, most grounded selves, we help create an environment where positive behavior and trust are at the forefront of what we do.

What This Means for Families

The same predictors of success we look for when assessing our clients apply to all kids. While many factors shape a young person’s well-being, three stand out as especially important:

1. Feeling confident about school — having positive connections with teachers and peers, or a sense of progress and belonging

2. Having a hobby or “asset” — something that sparks pride, joy, and purpose

3. Having strong family or community connections — knowing there are caring adults in their life who show up and believe in them

These areas are also reinforced by broader research. A recent study from Crisis Text Line found that young people in crisis benefit most when their communities provide six key resources:

• Opportunities for social connection

• Creative outlets such as music, writing, or the arts

• Access to mental health services

• Exercise and sports programs

• Books and audiobooks

• Outdoor spaces and nature, including walkable neighborhoods

If a young person in your life is struggling, these areas are a great place to focus. Small, consistent steps like encouraging their interests, celebrating effort, and creating time for connection can make a lasting difference. Support doesn’t have to be complicated; often, it’s the steady presence of caring adults that helps kids feel seen.

The progress we see in our youth, and kids everywhere, is proof that care rooted in trust and understanding truly works. With every moment of connection, every skill learned, and every goal achieved, our kids are building stronger futures, both for themselves and the communities they impact.